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Sunday, March 31, 2013

Tips to keep your dog safe this Easter

It's the Easter Beagle!

Lulu loves sweet things. Believe me, getting her to sit like that and not touch them was hard.

But here's the bottom line -- Easter candy, much of it, is no good for dogs.

Here's some reasons why:
1) Chocolate -- the biggest thing you'll find in abundance is the worst for dogs... but it all depends. Milk chocolate is not as bad as dark chocolate or baking chocolate. The darker the chocolate, the more it has of a certain chemical that is toxic.

I had a dog when I was a kid who broke into two Easter baskets and lived to tell the tale. Doesn't mean it's ok, of course. Always keep chocolate from dogs.
2) Xylitol -- This sweetener is used in sugar-free and no-sugar added treats. It's also used in chewing gum. All bad for dogs! They can't digest it.
3) Easter grass -- Not a candy, but used in the Easter baskets. Can be a big problem! Dogs, and cats, can't digest the grass. It can mess up their system the way ribbon and mylar can.
4) Raisins -- What are the chances you'll put raisins in an Easter basket? Maybe not. But grapes are bad for dogs. So raisins are also not good.

Now, there are treats you can make, even buy, to help your dog enjoy Easter with your family, like hard-boiled eggs (just make sure they are properly refrigerated). Eggs are good for your dog's coat.

Dogs love peanut butter. Lulu sniffed it right through the paper. And peanut butter is ok for dogs. So here is an idea.

Three Dog Blog makes peanut butter cups for dogs. Instead of chocolate, they use carob chips. Carob is a chocolate substitute that you will find in dog treats from time to time.

Place cups on tray that will fit in your refrigerator. In a small
pan, on medium heat, melt carob chips. Spoon 1/2 teaspoon of melted
carob into each cup. Chill 10 minutes. Spoon 1/2 teaspoon of peanut
butter on top of chilled carob. Spoon 1/2 teaspoon of melted carob on
top of peanut butter. Chill 10 minutes. Peel and treat!

Now, instead of using a cake cups, you could use a silicone pan. Get one with bunny or egg molds and voila! Easter treats for you dog!